McLean resigned after the incident and apologised to Barnes the following day but Tayside police have charged him. McLean will also be the subject of a report to the procurator fiscal in Dundee.

Superintendent Ron Wilkie said: "Following an investigation into an alleged incident at Tannadice Park on Oct 14, Tayside Police can confirm a man has been charged and report submitted to the procurator fiscal at Dundee."

The Scottish Premier League have shelved plans to launch an inquiry into the incident. McLean's actions appear to be a direct breach of SPL Rule A3.2, although it is the club, not the individual, who is answerable to the league.

But despite insisting it views the incident "with the utmost seriousness", the SPL has decided not to appoint an investigating commission until McLean severs all ties with United.

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A spokesman said: "While the board of SPL could competently appoint a Commission to investigate whether there has been a breach, it was decided in the circumstances, to defer consideration of such appointment whilst Jim McLean severs his ties with the club completely, as he apparently intends to do."

The Scottish FA's General Purposes Committee will discuss the incident on Oct 24.

Aberdeen have placed Eoin Jess on the transfer list after the forward rejected a new contract by the club. Jess, 29, is out of contract next summer and can talk to other clubs before signing a pre-contract agreement in January.

Dons manager Ebbe Skovdahl was adamant that the club had done all they could to keep Jess at Pittodrie as he aims to keep building the club.

"I stressed to Eoin that the club was extremely ambitious and there is now concrete evidence that things are beginning to take shape," said Skovdahl. "Everyone here is well aware of the value in keeping Eoin."

Meanwhile, Michael Hart has extended his loan period at Livingston by a further two months.

Rangers defender Arthur Numan has begun contract extension talks with chairman David Murray. The Dutch international is also hopeful of a comeback from an ankle injury in time for his team's Champions League clash with Sturm Graz next week.

Numan said: "I have another season left after this one but I have already agreed with the chairman that we'll talk about a new deal as I love life here."

European governing body UEFA have refused to overturn Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov's booking against Helsinki in the UEFA Cup first round. The Bulgarian international was cautioned for diving as he rounded goalkeeper Jani Viander.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill had hoped that the referee would rescind his booking with the help of video evidence, but UEFA have upheld Slovak referee Ladislav Gadosi's original decision. "The decision of the match referee will remain," said a UEFA spokesman.